Last night wasn’t the first night, but it was the first night. It’s strange to try and understand, because there could quite possibly be another first night. That’s right, Lounge On 20 had its soft opening to the public, but it was mostly friends, family, and regulars of the local bar community. Probably not the typical crowd you’d find once the newness passes.
It’s a lounge, so this isn’t the kind of place where you go to sit at the bar. Hence the very short and small sitting area at the bar. The rest of the building is great. Wide and open areas with high ceilings. (Not sure why the ceilings matter, but I guess it makes you feel like you actually have more room for you and your group.) Clean, crisp lines. Adequate low-light levels for proper dilation of the pupils. The front walls open for patio seating. And table service, so you don’t have to leave your conversation to go order drinks.
There is a small dress code that forbids the wearing of hats or tank tops. (I usually take off my hat when entering a restaurant, so this isn’t a real problem for me.) They had no issues with my wearing of sneakers and shorts — a plus, especially in this summer Sacramento heat.
I was a little late on ordering food, which stops at 10 during the week (at least for now.) From what I gathered while talking to one of the line cooks, it’ll be mostly appetizers and snacks. You wouldn’t come here for dinner or lunch, unless you want a bunch of small plates, which isn’t a bad idea if the food’s good. (I’ll check back on the menu, and let you know.)
Of course my favorite part was the price of a single Bushmills. Five Dollars. Will this last? I don’t know, but if it does, then it’s fair to say that my GV Hurley’s hours could be transferred to Lougne On 20.